Andy Reid’s Chiefs beat Eagles in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA — This was one time Andy Reid didn’t mind being a big target.

The man in the bull’s-eye so often when he coached in Philadelphia was easy for Chiefs receiver Donnie Avery to find. At the end of Kansas City’s 26-16 victory over the Eagles in Reid’s homecoming Thursday night, Avery gave Reid a Gatorade shower.

Reid already looked strange decked in all red on the visitors’ sideline. Now, he was drenched, too — but smiling, even joking he was doing Gatorade promotions.

“Yeah, it was different,” Reid said. “I was on the opposite side of the field than I normally am at. But I can’t tell you that I was caught up in that part of it.”

The result was similar to what he gave Philadelphia in his 14 years in charge of the Eagles, thanks to a dynamic Chiefs defense that forced five turnovers and sacked a harried Michael Vick five times. Vick even limped off after a late fumble — he said his ankle got rolled, but he was fine — but stayed around to hug Reid following the final play.

“It was great to see the players that are here,” Reid admitted. “I had a chance to talk to them after the game.”

Kansas City, which has not had a giveaway in opening 3-0, has won one more game already than it did in 2012 — after which it hired Reid days after he was fired on the heels of Philly’s 4-12 finish.

“It’s important,” he said of the fast start, “but there’s still a lot of season left. There’s no time to relax on what you have done.”

The usually stoic Reid showed some fire to match his bright red outfit late in the first half when he thought the Chiefs got a bad spot. He came out to the hash mark to yell at the officials, then walked off at halftime still gesturing his displeasure.

That was far more emotion than he displayed when he entered the stadium with the Chiefs just before kickoff. Although the Philly fans gave him a warm ovation, some standing in tribute to the man who won 140 games and six division titles for them, Reid walked briskly along the sideline, never turning his gaze toward the stands.

But he later said he recognized the tribute.

“I appreciate the fans and the support they gave me,” he said. “That was kind of them.”

He certainly had to like much of what he saw on the field from his defense, particularly linebacker Justin Houston.

It was offensive master Reid’s defense and special teams that set the tone and put his team ahead early, silencing the sea of green at the Linc. The Chiefs forced four first-half turnovers and Houston had three of their four sacks in the first half. He had another half-sack to start the second half, off a bad snap to Vick, and he forced Vick to fumble with 1:34 remaining. Houston has 6½ sacks in three games.

Damaris Johnson’s muffed punt return gave Kansas City the ball at the Eagles 8, leading to Ryan Succop’s 33-yard field goal for a quick 3-0 lead. Derrick Johnson then deflected Vick’s ill-advised throw into the flat and Eric Berry picked it off, going 38 yards for a TD with the first interception of the year for the Philly quarterback.

There would be more mistakes as Philadelphia (1-2) lost its eighth straight home game.

Notes

• New York Jets right guard Willie Colon reportedly has been fined $34,125 by the NFL for his actions during a sideline skirmish at New England last week.

• All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis said there is “zero truth” to talk that he has a problem with the way the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are using him in a revamped defense that’s struggled to stop opponents late in games.

• San Diego Chargers right tackle D.J. Fluker was unable to practice one day after suffering a concussion in practice.

• Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill is still nursing a sore right shoulder that has limited his practice time, and cornerback Dimitri Patterson has had a setback in his recovery from a groin injury.

• The Cleveland Browns signed free-agent running back Willis McGahee, giving them a capable veteran after trading Trent Richardson.

• Atlanta Falcons receiver Roddy White returned to practice while cornerback Asante Samuel (thigh) and offensive tackle Sam Baker (knee, foot) were held out for the second straight day.

• Denver Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey is practicing for the first time since injuring his left foot last month.